The Origins and Evolution of Vertebrate Metamorphosis

• Published in: Current biology Vol. 21; no. 18; pp. R726 - R737
• Main Author: Laudet, Vincent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 27.09.2011
• Subjects: anatomy & histology; Animals; Anura; Biological Evolution; Chordata; frogs; genes; growth & development; invertebrates; life history; metamorphosis; Metamorphosis, Biological; neoteny; physiology; receptors; Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; Receptors, Thyroid Hormone - physiology; resorption; tadpoles; tail; thyroid hormones; Thyroid Hormones - physiology; transcription factors; Vertebrates; Vertebrates - anatomy & histology; Vertebrates - growth & development; Vertebrates - physiology; Xenopus laevis; Xenopus laevis - anatomy & histology; Xenopus laevis - growth & development; Xenopus laevis - physiology

Metamorphosis, classically defined as a spectacular post-embryonic transition, is well exemplified by the transformation of a tadpole into a frog. It implies the appearance of new body parts (such as the limbs), the resorption of larval features (such as the tail) and the remodelling of many organs...